The Kutwal And
His People, As They Approached The Chapel, Prostrated Themselves Three
Times On Their Faces With Their Hands Extended Before Them, After Which
They Arose And Said Their Prayers Standing.
From this place they went forwards to the city of Calicut, and were taken
at their arrival into another pagoda similar to the former.
After this,
on entering the city, the crowd was so great that they could hardly make
their way through the streets. The general was astonished to see such
multitudes, and praised GOD for having brought him in safety to this city,
humbly beseeching his divine mercy so to guide him on his way that he
might accomplish the objects of his expedition, and return safely into
Portugal. At length the pressure of the crowd became so great that the
bearers were unable to get forwards, and the whole company were forced to
take shelter in a house. They were here joined by the kutwals brother, a
nobleman who was sent by the king to accompany the general to the palace,
and had many nayres along with him. The procession again set out,
preceded by many trumpets and sacbuts sounding all the way; and one of
the nayres carried a _caliver_, which he fired off at intervals. After
they were joined by the kutwals brother, the mob gave way for the
procession to pass, and shewed as much reverence as if the king himself
had been present. There went in the procession at least 3000 armed men,
and the multitudes of spectators, in the streets, at the doors and
windows, and on the roofs, were quite innumerable. The general was well
pleased at his honourable reception, and said pleasantly to those of his
company, "_They little think in Portugal how honourably we are received
here_."
The procession arrived at the palace an hour before sunset. Though only
constructed of earth, the palace was very extensive and seemed a handsome
structure, having great numbers of trees interspersed among the different
buildings, with pleasant gardens full of fine flowers and odoriferous
plants, and many fountains; as the zamorin never goes out of the palace
while resident in Calicut. On arriving at the palace, several caymals and
other noblemen came out to receive the general, who led him to a large
square immediately in front of the gates, whence they passed through four
several courts, at the gate of each of which there were ten porters who
were obliged to lay about them with sticks among the people to clear the
way. On coming to the gate of the house in which the king resided, they
were met by the chief bramin, or high priest of the royal household, a
little old man, who embraced the general, and conducted him and his
people into the palace. At this time the people pressed forwards with
much eagerness to get a sight of the king, which they very seldom do as
he goes very rarely out of the palace; and the multitude was so great
that some of them were stifled in the throng, which would likewise have
been the case with two of our men, if they had not gone on before, with
the assistance of the porters, who severely hurt many of the mob, and
forced them to make way.
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